Josefina Sanchez

09/05/24 – 01/15/12

Josefina Ortiz was born in El Paso on Sept 5th 1924, the daughter of Constanza and Luis Ortiz. She was a lifelong El Paso resident who raised her family, and later served her community as an activist and an advocate for the poor.

Mrs. Sanchez was an angel sent from Heaven to make the world better, and graced us with her loving presence. She was called home by Our Lord on Sunday, January 15 2012, to rejoice with her husband Estanislado, and her children Constanza Chavez, Josefina Torres, and Martin Sanchez.

Josefina Sanchez lived her life as a loving wife and nurturing mother, raising 9 children and living to see 5 generations. As a mother, she adored all of her children, but guided them with a stern hand, a loving touch, and a mother’s devotion. Mrs. Sanchez loved to cook and always woke extra early with her husband so that she could send him off to work with homemade tortillas! Later in life, she often spent many perfect afternoons sitting in her back patio, surrounded by her beloved family, immersed in laughter and joy. She become a great, great Grandmother, and loved and welcomed everyone to her growing family.

Mrs. Sanchez embraced her city and community, and became a staunch advocate of the poor and disenfranchised. She educated herself to become a public servant, serving on the board of El Paso’s Legal Aid Society for several years. As a community activist, she advocated such causes as feeding the homeless and worked tirelessly in their behalf. Mrs. Sanchez was also a social worker for Project Bravo, giving a voice to the city’s underprivileged by advocating for their needs, and providing compassionate assistance for their plight. Her efforts were recognized by President Carter’s administration when she was invited to the White House and visited with the First Lady of the United States, Rosalynn Carter.

Mrs. Sanchez married her only true love Estanislado Sanchez, and lost him to our Lord in 1976. The love that she had for Mr. Sanchez was unwavering, and she remained faithful to their vows, and finally rejoined him last Sunday.

Mrs. Sanchez is survived by her immediate family: her sisters, Christina Skinner and Gaudalupe Raya; her children: Elva and Tony Boydston, Marta and Mario Loya Jr, Estanislado Sanchez, Miguel Sanchez, Sandy and Christian Luthi, Diana and Roberto Martinez; and her grandchildren: Sonia Prego, Joseph Pagano, Melissa Boyce, Mark Loya, Yvonne Loya, Yvette Duran, Mario Loya (III), Roxanne Chavez, Michelle Chavez, Jennifer Corral, Diamond Price, David Hernandez, Frank Torres, Manny Torres (III), Belinda Valdivia , Noemi Vasquez, Patricia Adame, Violet Sanchez, Martin Sanchez, Christopher Sanchez, Maribel Monarez Abel Sanchez, Stanley Sanchez, Jessica Llamas, Gabriel Sanchez, Tanya Sanchez, Anthony Bachmann, Christian M Luthi, Robert Martinez Jr., Daniel Martinez, Crystal Martinez, Michael Martinez, and Amber Martinez.

Visitation will be held 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Thursday January 19, 2012 at Martin Funeral Home Central with a 7pm Rosary. Funeral Mass will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday January 20, 2012 at Guardian Angel Catholic Church. Interment to follow at Mt. Carmel Cemetery.

Thank you, Lord, for blessing our lives with Josefina Sanchez. Heaven’s gain will be our loss.

Arrangements under the direction of Funeraria Del Angel Martin Central, El Paso, TX.